TNAG-0369-FCO40-415-Visit-of-Edward-Heath--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--12-1-1974 — Page 66

HEINEMANJENI

KIL

CONFIDENTIAL

a Chinese Lowricted & muter named

Kunuz a decision by the Govemarto

let the law take its

formerly accepted Japanese marine equipment without

exacting tests. To do so now could be harmful to UK

/ manufacturing interests.

27. Line to Take: We acknowledge the case for a

separate Register, but we must be satisfied about

safety aspects, including the qualifications of

officers, before we can agree. We are making a com-

plete examination of the detailed problems involved and

the recent lengthy visit by the DTI team shows that

we are getting on with this. We will give our answer

as soon as possible.

28.

DEATH PENALTY (Brief No. 8)

There will be questions on the decision last

summer to reprieve Tso:

Tsoi But more interest will

focus on whether HMG intends in the future to allow

executions to take place in Hong Kong.

29. Possible Criticisms:

The Chinese believe in the

(

death penalty. It was wrong for The Queen to override

the Governor's decision in the case of Tsoi simply

because of the parliamentary situation in the UK.

30. Line to Take: The Queen acted on the advice of

the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. The decision- There were special factor which led to lie dacís vós in Tsoi's case, was e-very-special-one. The oese, and fuch cane

hoo to be considered onʻita manta, coincided with the parliamentary debate on the death

penalty in Northerr-Ireland frere was a real-

possibility of raba van dr)· political row in whi

Hong Kong's jetests would have-suffered.

As for

the future, the death penalty remains part of the

existing law of Hong Kong, Jases will continue to be

considered on their individual merits.

31.

(If pressed) It is of course possible for the

Hong Kong Government (or HMG under the general

rovide "TATION "D PILE TIDOL. CLICAM fcours

CONFIDENTIAL

/constitutions"

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